Experiment with various techniques of creating, combining, improvising stitches in knit and/or crochet (the real fun comes from blending the two techniques). Explore various techniques of making fabric shapes, ways of embellishing them, and how to connect/grow/develop them (short-row shaping, lace, Tunisian, color-work, surface embellishment, beading, are among the techniques covered). The day’s explorations will result in a collection of three-dimensional textural pieces—“sketches” in fiber which can be combined into a collage, a booklet, a shawl, etc., depending on your preference. It’s about exploring the possibilities of the materials and reimagining the outcomes of their uses.

Prerequisite: Students should know how to either knit or crochet (or both) before coming to this class. Knitting skills required: cast-on, knit, purl, bind-off. Crochet skills required: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet

INSTRUCTOR: Lisa Daehlin is a knitting designer and opera singer. A continuing education faculty member at Cooper Union, she has the distinction of being their first-ever teacher of knitting and crochet courses. A sought-after designer of knitted and crocheted fabrics and objects, she free-lances for the fashion industry and retail design. Her designs can be seen walking the streets of Manhattan, on the pages of Interweave Knits, Knit 1, Vogue Knitting Vogue Knitting Magazines as well as featured in the Lace Style and Bag Style books published by Interweave Press.